The Basketball Africa League (BAL), through its BAL4HER initiative, joined forces with two-time WNBA All-Star and BAL Ambassador Chiney Ogwumike and her foundation, Queens of the Continent, to host a landmark celebration of young women in basketball in Lagos, Nigeria.
The three-day programme, held from 29–31 August, featured networking and leadership sessions, an under-23 basketball camp, and an under-16 clinic, marking the first-ever BAL4HER event in Nigeria. Activities were led by Ogwumike, Nigeria Men’s National Team Head Coach Abdulrahman Mohammed, BAL staff, and Senegalese basketball player Fatou Diagne.
The event tipped off with a leadership and networking evening, where 100 young women, including 20 U23 players and female professionals in sport, gathered for panel discussions hosted by Ogwumike.
The panels explored “Celebrating Nigeria’s AfroBasket Champions & the Rise of Women’s Basketball” and “Sport as a Pathway to Opportunity and Impact in Africa.”
Speakers included high-profile figures in sport, entertainment, and youth empowerment, such as Aituaje Aina, Vivian Ebele Iruob, Chioma Omeruah, Omawumi Megbele, Taye Adeniy, and Tega Dominic.
On 30 August, the 20 selected U23 athletes participated in an intensive basketball camp at the American International School of Lagos, which included combine drills, competitive game play, and discussions about career pathways. Fatou Diagne played a leading role in mentoring participants.
That same day, 32 local coaches joined a BAL Advance coaching clinic led by Coach Abdulrahman Mohammed, equipping them with modern training techniques and leadership insights.
The closing day saw 45 under-16 girls from local communities take part in a basketball clinic, with the U23 players serving as mentors and role models. The session focused on building core basketball skills while passing down lessons of leadership and resilience to the next generation.
The Lagos event underscored BAL4HER’s commitment to advancing women’s participation in basketball across Africa. By combining on-court training with mentorship, leadership development, and career guidance, the initiative aims to inspire young women to excel both on and off the court.
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